Low-noise, low DC power linear amplifiers

Abstract

Low-noise, low-DC-power linear amplifiers using high-dynamic-range GaAs/int FETs are discussed. Noise figures as low as dB have been achieved in a Ku-band amplifier simultaneously with over 36-dBm OIP3 and 18-dB gain with only 655 mW of DC power. A wideband distributed amplifier has shown average midband 7-dB gain and noise figure together with 37-dBm OIP3 with 800 mW of DC power. Greatly improved second-order intercept points (OIP2) have been observed in the distributed amplifier as compared to typical ion-implanted MESFET amplifiers. A dual-gate version, of the distributed amplifier demonstrated significant dynamic range advantages over its ion-implanted FET counterpart. Overall, state-of-the-art results in terms of simultaneous linearity, noise figure, gain-bandwidth, and DC power consumption have been achieved.<>